Lunch Hour NYC at the New York Public Library
The Role of Food in NYC Tenement Culture:
The Work of Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis
Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Social Studies Progressive Era Unit
This educator resource was designed in conjunction with the Lunch Hour NYC exhibition. For
more information on Teaching & Learning resources at the New York Public Library, please visit
teachandlearn.nypl.org.
Grade: 8
Subject: Social Studies
Desired Results
Standards: Common Core State Standards for ELA and Literacy in History/Social Studies; Grades 6-8 students
Reading Standards
(1) Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
(2) Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of
the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
(3) Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies.
(7) Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in
print and digital texts.
Writing Standards
(1) Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing
claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an
understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Establish and maintain a formal style.
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Essential Question
How did food play a role in the Tenement culture of late 19th and early 20th century New York City?
Learning Plan
Learning Activities:
Do Now (10 minutes)
-In Jacob Riis’ landmark work of “muckraking” journalism “How the Other Half Lives,” he tells the story of a young
child’s encounter with law enforcement (Chapter 15: “The Problem of the Children”). Ask two students to read the
passage aloud to the class (encourage each to “act out” their respective roles – narrator and child). Once the students
have finished reading, ask the class to write 3-5 sentences responding to the passage. Once students have completed
their responses, ask for volunteers to share their thoughts with the class.
Photography Activity (30 minutes)
-Divide the class into 5 groups of 4 or 5 students. Hand out one photograph and worksheet (see below) to each group.
Ask students to take a couple of minutes to examine their photograph and its caption information – make sure each
group member has time to look at the photograph closely. Once each student has examined the photograph, ask each
group to complete the corresponding worksheet. (15 minutes)
-Once each group’s worksheet is complete, ask each group to share out with the class. (15 minutes)
Review Essential Question (5 minutes)
-Handout exit cards to each student. Ask them to write 3-5 sentences, answering the essential question.
Image 1
Image Title: Candy sorter in the old Huyler factory, New York City
Creator: Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1874-1940 -- Photographer
Medium: Gelatin silver prints
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach
Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Digital ID: 416485
Worksheet
After examining the photograph and caption information closely, please fill in all of the answer spaces with
complete sentences
What do I see? (What
observations can I make
about the image?)
1.
What do I think? (What are What do I wonder? (What
my responses and reactions
do I want to know more
to the image?)
about?)
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
Image 2
Image Title: Mrs. Rena shelling nuts with a neighbor
Creator: Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1874-1940 -- Photographer
Medium: Gelatin silver prints
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach
Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Digital ID: 416496
Worksheet
After examining the photograph and caption information closely, please fill in all of the answer spaces with
complete sentences
What do I see? (What
observations can I make
about the image?)
1.
What do I think? (What are What do I wonder? (What
my responses and reactions
do I want to know more
to the image?)
about?)
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
Image 3
Image Title: Girl at door, New York City
Creator: Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1874-1940 -- Photographer
Medium: Gelatin silver prints
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach
Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Digital ID: 416517
Worksheet
After examining the photograph and caption information closely, please fill in all of the answer spaces with
complete sentences
What do I see? (What
observations can I make
about the image?)
1.
What do I think? (What are What do I wonder? (What
my responses and reactions
do I want to know more
to the image?)
about?)
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
Image 4
Image Title: A very insanitary cellar - bakery, east side, New York
Creator: Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1874-1940 -- Photographer
Medium: Gelatin silver prints
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach
Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Digital ID: 416494
Worksheet
After examining the photograph and caption information closely, please fill in all of the answer spaces with
complete sentences
What do I see? (What
observations can I make
about the image?)
1.
What do I think? (What are What do I wonder? (What
my responses and reactions
do I want to know more
to the image?)
about?)
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
Image 5
Image Title: Bowery Mission bread line on a cold winter night, 1:00 a.m., Sunday, N.Y.C.
Creator: Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1874-1940 -- Photographer
Medium: Gelatin silver prints
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach
Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Digital ID: 416508
Worksheet
After examining the photograph and caption information closely, please fill in all of the answer spaces with
complete sentences
What do I see? (What
observations can I make
about the image?)
1.
What do I think? (What are What do I wonder? (What
my responses and reactions
do I want to know more
to the image?)
about?)
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
Teacher Feedback Form for Lunch Hour NYC Educator Resources
I am a (Please circle one) teacher/librarian/administrator/other__________________________
School Name:________________________________________________________________
School Address:_______________________________________________________________
Grade Level:__________
Subject:___________________________________
1. What motivated your use of this lesson plan? What is/was your class studying?
_________________________________________________________________________
2. How did you use this lesson plan? (Please check all that apply.)
r I followed the lesson plan in its entirety.
r I used parts of the lesson plan.
r I adapted the lesson plan.
r Other
(Please specify______________________________________________)
3. Please check one box per row
The lesson plan met my expectations
The lesson plan met curriculum
standards
The lesson plan is well integrated with
my curriculum unit
The lesson plan is suitable and engaging
for the grade level
The lesson procedures are clear and
adaptable
I would recommend the lesson plan to
other educators
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Undecided
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
4. Are there other activities or resources you would like to see included in the lesson
plan?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Please return completed form to:
Manager of Teaching & Learning, NYPL,
th
455 Fifth Avenue, 6 Floor, NY, NY 10016.
Thank You!
___Yes, I would like to receive updates on Teaching & Learning resources at NYPL.
Name:______________________________ Email:_____________________________